Taximeter



July l1, 1933.

A. RHPQLL 1,917,546

TAXMETER Filed sept. 14, 1929 2 sheets-sheet l Inventar A RWM.

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July ll, 1933. A R|POLL 1,917,546

TAX IMETER Filed Sept. 14, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 by M. 5 20,1444/.dttorney- Patented `luly 11, 1933 PATENT OFFICE AMADEO RIPOLL, OFBARCELONA, SPAIN TAXIMETER Appneauon'fuea september 14, i929, serial No.392,687,

The present invention relates to a taximeter having a number ofadvantages over known apparatus, such as v`robustness and simplicity ofthe mechanism, its compactness, the precision of its indications, andthe total impossibility ofl the perpetration of fraud in its use.- v

'Apparatus according to the invention is illustratedby way of example inthe accompanying drawings.' l

Figure 1 is a front view of the apparatus. Figure 2 is a side view ofthe exterior of the apparatus.

Figure 3 is a lvertical crossssection of the apparatus, showing theinterior.

Figure 4 is a detail in vertical section of the means employed foreffecting the change of tariff. l

Figure 5 is a section of details of the connection of the transmissioncable from the wheels of the vehicle to the mechanism of the apparatus.l A

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are details of the actuating mechanism of thetransmission cable. Figure 9 is a vertical section from the rear of theapparatus.

Figure 10 is ak plan.

f Figure 11 is a side elevation taken at the side at which the flaglever is disposed, that is'to say at the side opposite to that of Figure3. v

- Disposition# haag-)params Figure 1 shows the front of the apparatus,with the flag 1 in the free position, that is to say raised. All themechanism is mounted on a solid base. 2 and is advantageously protectedby a box 3 `fixed to the base by means of four lead sealed screws 4.-Such a disposition of the box prevents all access from theexterior,leavingonly passage for thespindle of the lflag 5, the spindle forresetting. the clockwork movement ,6 and the spindle forthe key 7 Vforrecording the supplements or extras. A pane of glassfS, ad-

vantageously fastened by aV frame 9 .fixed on the box allows a plate 10to be seen, which is provided with apertures which permit the reading ofthe various indications corres sponding to the function of theapparatus,

and in Spain September 17, 1928.

such as: Fare 11, Extras for Extras 13, rate employed indicator 14, thefractions countei' 15, counter for the lowering of the Hag 16, totaldistance covered 17 and counter of distance covered with flag lowered18.

The base carries two arms 21 for fixing the apparatus to the vehicle, italso carries a boss 12, the counter 22 which supports a terminal 23 bymeans w of which the cable actuates the mechanism of the apparatus. Thesaid terminal is couple-d at the lower end of the first spindle 24(Figure 4) by means of a in order that when the mechanism of theapparatus presents an abnormal resistance, the revolutions of theflexiblev cable cease to be transmitted to the counter, thus avoidingany breakage.

friction coupling,

The apparatus hereinbefore described is operated by a flexible cable 25(Figures 6, 7 and 8) connected at one of its ends to the apparatus andat the other to a toothed pin ion 26 which by means of the spiral ring27, placed causes the pinion to advance by a tooth at each rotation ofthe said wheel. In order that the friction produced by this operation isnoiseless the said pinion may advantageously be constructed of libre.

According to circumstances a reducing gear 28 may be applied tojthespeed gear for replacing the pinion.

The apparatus has a clockwork movement destined to actuate the faremechanism when the fiag is lowered and the vehicle stopped.

The principal characteristics of the apparat-us are the followingz Thewheel 46 (Figur-e 9) is rotated either by the clockwork or by the cablewhich is coupled to the speed gear or operated from one of the wheels ofthe vehicle. The wheel 46'is fixed to its spindle 47 and transmitsrotation to the wheel 49, which is mounted freely upon its spindle 50. Atoothed crown is fixed to the wheel 49 collar loose on the spindle 50and fixed by oneof its extremities to the helical spring 51. Theoperation of the crown has for its effect to graduate the force exertedby the escapement spring. The other extremity of and engages a toothed 9on one of the wheels of the vehicle, K

ing

the spring 51 is secured to the spindle '50 by means of a drum 52. Acylinder or disc 48 Awith projections is secured to the spindle l47, andthe projections, in the rotation, strike against the projections o1" acylinder or disc 53, which is secured to the spindle 50. lVhen thespindle 47 has effected a turn of 90o the projections of the cylinder ordisc 53 strike against the projection of the cylinder or disc 48, and,at this moment, by reason of its operation, a sharp escapement isproduced by the increasing pressure of the spring 51. At the moment of'the escapement, one ofi' the projections of the cylinder or disc 53which travel over the periphery of the cylinder or disc 48 is appliedagainst the interior face of the said cylinder or disc. In the followingcscapement it detains the other of the projections of the cylinder ordisc 53 by the periphery of the cylinder 48, the said escapement beingrepeated successively for each unitv of ythe drum indicators of thecharge for the journey.

A pinion 73 (Figure 9) secured to the spindle 50 engages with the pinion74 (F igure 10) which. carries solid with it a pinion 70 engaging withthe pinion 72 and servto transmit the escapement hereinbefore describedto the drums 71 indicating the charge for the journey. These pinionsalways maintain in position the drums indicating the charge for thejourney, so that, even though the glass of the apparatus be broken, itis not possible for the charge indicated to be altered, by reason of themechanism provided.

Figure 11 represents the taximeter in the free-j position. On lowering'the flag to the engaged position or to adjust the taximeter to one orother of the tariffs for which it is adapted, the rotation of the wheel55 is effected and is transmitted to the pinion63 by means of theintermediate wheels 56, 59 (situated behind the wheel 61) and 61. Thisrotation is effected in ordcr that the projection 64, with which thepinion 63 is provided, may engage a recess with whichjthe lever 65is'formed, and this lever, subject tothe action of the eccentric 60(situated behind the wheel 61), descends at the precise moment to engagethe projection 64.

The wheel 61 .is only toothed for a portion of its periphery in order toensure that the pinion 63 shall not turn beyond a certain angle althoughthe flag spindle may be turned through an angle greater than thatcorresponding to the first tariff where it is necessary to pass to ahigher tariff.

The pinion 63 is rigid with the spindle 66 which by consequencepartalres of the movement of the pinion; by reason of the presence ofthe spring 75 (Figure 10) which is to the spindle 66 and fixed by oneextremity by the other extremity to a point of the frame plate, energyis stored in this spindle 66 when it is rotated.

At the same time that the operations 1ndicated take place rotation ofthe wl1ecl 57 is effected from the wheel 55 through the 111- termediateWheel 56. This rotation has for its purpose to cause the pin orprojection 67 with which the wheel 57 is furnished to set free the lever68, and the spindle 69 which carries the pinions 70 is then axiallydisplaced under the action of a spring placed at one extremity so thatthe pimons 70 come into engagement with the teeth 7 2 of the numeraldrums 71 (Figure 10). These drums are mounted freely on their spindle 66and are rotated by the action of the said pmions 70.

The spindle 66 on which are mounted the drums 71 is furnished With alongitudinal recess extending for the whole of the space occupied by thedrums, and these carry at the interior small pawls with correspondingsprings that aredisposed in such manner that when the drums turn in thedirection in which they are operated by the pinions 70, the pawls passwithout difficulty the 10ngitudinal recess of their spindle 66 but donot pass if the drums turn in the contrary direction since in this casethey are engaged in the said recess.

The manner in which the indication of the cost of the journey is effacedmay now be followed.

In raising the flag to the position free there is produced a rotation ofthe wheel 55 in the direction contrary to that when the flag waslowered. This rotation is transmitted by the Wheel 56 to the Wheel 57whereby the pin or projection 67 takes up a position below the lever 68causing the spindle 69 to be displaced axially and with it the pinions70 which thus pass out of engagement with the numeral drums and leavethem consequently free on their spindle. At the same time the Wheel 56transmits its rotation to the cam 60 and the latter causes the lever 65to rise sufficiently to render free the projection 64. At this momentthere comes into action the stored energy of the spring 75 which tendsto cause rotation of the spindle 66 of the drums in such manner that thepawls provided in the interior of the drums remain engaged in thelongitudinal recess of the said spindle 66 and thus the drumsparticipatevin the rotation of their spindle, the cost of the journeybeing thus effaced. To secure that the drums shall be arrested in theposition corresponding to the initial price they are provided with smallabutments 76 (Figure 10) which come into contact with the stops 7 7rigid with their spindle 7 8 which at this moment, under the action ofthe eccentric (Figure 3), which rotates following the movement of theflag, is caused to take a position in which the stops 77 descend dle andrigid with the said spindle and having a projecting stud, a springacting against the rotation of the pinion in one direction, a pawlprovided to engage the said stud, a second spindle parallel with thefirst spindle and carrying rigidly thereon stops, projections related tothe numeral drums and adapted to engage the Said Stops, a lever ixedupon the spindle provided with the stops, and a cam for operating thesaid lever.

AMADEO RIPOLL.

